Dental Implant Complications

What are the most common dental implant complications?

Though rare, some of the most common dental implant complications include:

• Tissue inflammation around the implant
  
• Bone loss around the implant
  
• Poor implant positioning
  
• Trouble speaking properly with implants
  
• Aesthetic implant problems
  
• Fractured implant or crown

Another dental implant complication is peri-implantitis, an infectious disease that causes inflammation in the tissues and bone structure surrounding the implant.

What happens if dental implant complications are untreated?

Without proper treatment, dental implant complications can affect everything from your bite and ability to chew to your overall health.

Inflammation surrounding the implant is especially dangerous, as it can lead to the degradation of the teeth and jaw. You can even lose your dental implants altogether.

What are the signs of dental implant complications?

If you’re experiencing dental implant complications, some of the most common warning signs include:

• Gum inflammation
  
• Difficulty chewing
  
• Receding gums
  
• Persistent pain or discomfort
  
• Loosened implant or dental crown
  
• Noticeable cracks in your crowns or dentures
  
• Deepening gum pockets around the implant
  
• Exposed implant threads
  
• Bleeding gums
  
• Pus around the implant
  
• Red gums

To save your implants as soon as possible and avoid any further complications, call Dr. Froum right away if you experience any of the above symptoms.

How are dental implant complications treated?

How Dr. Froum treats your dental implant complications depends on your unique situation. Some of the most common implant restoration techniques that Dr. Froum uses include:

Crown or denture restoration

More often than not, dental implant complications start at the crown, bridge, or denture that connects to the implant, rather than the implant itself. This is especially true if you grind your teeth. As long as the implant and connector are undamaged, Dr. Froum can take new impressions to create another restoration.

Loose implant

While a loose implant is rare, it most often occurs during the first year due to failed osseointegration — the process that bonds the implant to the jawbone. In this case, Dr. Froum can assess the damage to determine if reimplantation is still possible.

In some cases, implants can come loose years after being placed. This is typically the result of gum disease and bone loss. Dr. Froum may recommend removing the entire implant, treating the underlying infection, and performing a bone graft to ensure you have enough healthy jawbone to support implants.

If you’re experiencing dental implant complications, call Stuart J. Froum, DDS, or book a visit online today.